August 26, 2008
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: |
Doug Moglin, Chairman |
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Roz Terry, Vice Chairman |
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Cal Chunglo |
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Richard Utzinger, Associate |
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ABSENT: |
Bob Johnson |
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Sam Santaniello |
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OTHER: |
Marcus Phelps, Town Planner |
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mr. Moglin.
A MOTION was made by Mrs. Terry and seconded by Mr. Chunglo to adjourn to the Sewer Implementation meeting. The motion was passed unanimously
The meeting of the Planning Board was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Mr. Moglin
TOWN PLANNER’S REPORT: 8:00 p.m.
1. Received an inquiry on August 14 from Kathleen Angco-Vieweg, 24 Laro Road, regarding the condition of a road to her property. After researching the matter, I determined that the land between Laro Road and North Longyard was subdivided through eight Approval Not Required forms and one Estate Lot in 1995. Planning Board minutes from October 11, 1994 indicate that the lots are to be accessed by common drives not to be maintained by the Town of Southwick. On August 19 I telephoned her with this information and indicated that maintenance and repair of the common drive was a private matter that the residents needed to resolve.
2. Received notification from the Town Clerk that the Planning Board’s approval of the definitive plan for the Williamsburg Estates subdivision filed on July 30 was appealed on August 18 by The Ranch Golf Club.
3. Received a letter from the Mass. Department of Conservation & Recreation regarding an informational meeting on the Heritage Landscape Inventory program that will be held September 5 at the Westfield Athenaeum. Grant funds with no cash match required are available for this type of inventory that can provide useful data to Southwick’s Master and Open Space plans.
4. Attended a meeting hosted by the Conservation Commission on August 18 regarding an anonymous complaint made to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the filling of wetlands in The Ranch subdivision, Lots 1-7, located along Sunnyside Road. Carol Kilbride (U.S. EPA), Dave Keddell (Army Corps of Engineers), David Foulis (MA DEP), and Robert McCollum (MA DEP) reviewed documents in Town Hall and visited the site including an additional area on Pond View Lane. Both the federal and state agencies will continue to review this matter.
5. Obtained a copy of the East Granby, CT sign regulation and distributed it to the Sign Subcommittee members.
6. Received twenty complimentary copies of an updated Community Profile published by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. The one-page sheet provides a concise description and demographics for Southwick.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: 8:20 p.m.
Brian Labodycz, of 21 Pine Knoll, inquired as to the status of the bond release for Pine Knoll. Mr. Moglin said that the bond was released. He said that he thought he had told Mrs. Labodycz that the bond had been released. He also made a visit to the property the day after it had rained and Mrs. Labodycz and he had talked.
APPOINTMENTS:
8:30 p.m. 31 Hudson Drive Public Hearing
Frank Demarinis, of SAGE Engineering, LLC, presented the plans for a modification of a Special Permit & Site Plan Approval in order to enlarge an existing use to include property located at 31 Hudson Drive, zoned as Industrial Restricted and within the Wellhead Protection District. The Property is shown on Assessors Map 49, Parcel 1. The applicant proposes to construct three new buildings to be used for manufacturing in accordance with the Code of Southwick Zoning Bylaws, Chapter 185, Sections 9, 10, 19 and 22. Frank Demarinis said that he had met with Jeff Neece, DPW Director, and Don Morris, the Town Fire Chief. Tom Fitzgerald witnessed the perk tests on the property. They met with the Health Department and submitted a septic system for approval. There is a possibility of connecting two water lines to improve service. He
described the property as 13.06 acres zoned IR, completely cleared and flat with no trees. The three commercial metal buildings are proposed to be metal buildings. One will be 36,750 square feet, the second building will be 45,750 square feet and the third building will be 49,875 square feet. The plan includes a total of 443 parking spaces dispersed among the three buildings and includes the required handicap parking spaces. They created a loop road around the property to allow for the flow of truck traffic. He also indicated on the plan the loading docks, landscaping, and green spaces around the buildings. Mr. Chunglo asked where they plan to put the snow. Frank Demarinis pointed out the designated area for snow. Mrs. Terry asked if this was an expansion of B & E Tools. He replied that it is an expansion of the use of B & E Tools. Mr. Moglin asked about the lighting plan. Frank Demarinis indicated the proposed lighting plan.
Michael McMahon, a member of the Economic Development Committee, said that the EDC is in favor of the project.
Roger Cataldo, a Board Selectman, said that the BOS welcomes and supports the project. He said that it is an example of light, clean industry. They have been good neighbors to the Town of Southwick.
Jeff Neece, the Director of DPW, said that there were initially some concerns since it will be located on the Well Head District. However, after touring their existing facility and learning about how they process water the environmental impact will be limited and minimal. Their septic system design is a fallback back plan in case they cannot hook up to the sewer system in time to open the new facility.
Mr. Moglin said that Mr. Phelps did extensive research on the Well Head District. Also, Town Council and their Council met and discussed the application as it pertains to the Well Head. It was determined that it is a continuation or an expansion of an existing use in the zone. Therefore, it is allowed.
Mrs. Terry said that since a Special Permit goes with the property are there any concerns with a future use of the property. How specific should we be in our permit so that another future use may not be as clean? Mr. Phelps replied that the use of manufacturing is allowed in the by law. Mrs. Terry replied that there are some manufacturing processes that are dirty and this should be addressed.
Mr. Phelps asked if all the handicap spaces are van accessible. Frank Demarinis said that was the case. Mr. Phelps also asked was the requirement that for every 5,000 square feet of floor space there is required to be one loading dock. Since they do not need that many loading docks they have shown actual ones that will be constructed and those that could be constructed.
Mr. Utzinger rescued himself from the vote since he is a subcontractor for Sage Engineering. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Santaniello will be requested to listen to the Public Hearing tapes before the September 9th Planning Board meeting.
The Public Hearing was closed at 9:10 p.m. The Planning Board will make a decision on 31 Hudson Drive on September 9th.
ROUTINE BUSINESS:
The Board signed the Mylar plan for 5 Whalley Way.
Mr. Phelps said that the Conservation Commission has been invited to attend the Planning Board work session on Tuesday, September 9 to discuss Open Space.
Mr. Phelps said that the Jeff McCullough of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has been invited to attend the Planning Board work session on Tuesday, October 7th to discuss transportation planning.
Mr. Phelps said that Attorney Beglane will meet with the Planning Board for a work session on Tuesday, November 4 to discuss legal issues.
Being no further business to be brought before the Board, A MOTION was made by Mrs. Terry, SECONDED by Mr. Chunglo to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Vote was unanimous.
Doug Moglin ____________________ Roz Terry _____________________
Chairman Vice Chairman
Cal Chunglo ____________________ Sam Santaniello _____________________
Bob Johnson ____________________ Richard Utzinger _____________________
Associate
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Preston
Recording Secretary
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